Tranmere 1 United XI 1: Honours even after Lingard leveller

United’s reserves continued their hectic pre-season programme with a creditable – if somewhat dour – 1-1 draw against League One Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.

The hosts took an early lead through Mark McChrystal but Jesse Lingard’s strike brought the Reds level before half-time. With Warren Joyce’s side playing their third game in four days, fatigue was an obvious factor as an uneventful second 45 largely passed both teams by and the game drifted towards an always-inevitable draw.

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The home side took the lead early on with a strike from close range from defender Mark McChrystal, who tapped home following a fantastic free kick from the right which struck the bar. Tranmere continued the early pressure, with great strength and agility shown by Enoch Showunmi creating a one on one opportunity for Robbie Weir, but keeper Tomasz Kuszczak pulled off a good save to prevent the hosts from extending their lead.

United’s first chance came to John Cofie after 27 minutes but was sliced high and wide of the Tranmere goal. Moments later Kuszczak pulled off a fabulous double save firstly to deny John Welsh’s close range shot and then tipping over Adam McGurk’s attempted volley. Soon after United took full advantage of a sloppy pass back from Andy Robinson as Darron Gibson started off a chain of passes involving Drinkwater and Cofie before Jesse Lingard slotted home in off the post from 20 yards out to make it 1-1.

Robinson nearly made amends almost instantly as he quickly turned with his back to goal from a loose ball and shot only for it to be deflected off a United head for a corner. Rovers nearly entered half time with the lead as Robbie Weir held off a defender on the edge of the area and rocketed a shot which whipped off Kuszczak’s goal frame. It was the last chance for any team to go ahead in the first half.

The second half saw changes for both teams as Joss Labadie replaced the impressive Weir for the home team and Davide Petrucci replaced first team candidate Darron Gibson for United. It was a lively start for both teams as Cofie first shot straight at Coughlin on 47 minutes and Atkins narrowly missed the target soon after for the hosts.

The tempo slowed down as chances for both teams became few and far between between. McGurk had a chance
from 25 yards out but failed to hit the target whilst Lingard was denied a chance to grab a second as
McChrystal saw the danger off. Tranmere made a handful of substitutions in the space of ten minutes including a change of strikers and centre half.

United spurned one real chance as Will Keane mistimed his run and deflected the shot out for a goal kick.
but the home side had the remaining chances to go ahead. McGurk sliced his cross and nearly baffled Kuszczak as it went towards his goal but the United keeper recovered in time. Joss Labadie tried a chip attempt on the United goal but narrowly shot wide. The last real chance fell to trialist Nikolaj Misiuk as McGurk wormed his way through the United defence before playing the ball across the six yard box with the trialist inches away from scoring his first goal for the club.

The full time whistle went as a dreary second half came to a close ending the scores even at 1-1.

The potential was clearly shown today as both teams had talented players on the pitch. Paul Pogba
was the main man for United as he orchestrated the team from the wing and later on in the middle
of the pitch. He is a man to look out for in the future.

Adam McGurk showed real talent and technique throughout the match, nearly setting up two goals for
his side. Ian Goodison at the tender age of 38 put in a solid performance against an ever-growing
United side.